Rhea was new to the place, to populace, to surrounding and most importantly “The School”. Where most of the apprentice complete their schooling from the same school, it was third time she was changing her school, all thanks to her father’s transferable job. She was all apprehensive contemplating about her classmates she would be meeting the next day. She was worried if she would be able to make new friends, real close friends. To make herself feel enhanced, she joined her mother for a movie.”Dil toh Pagal hai” , how could she not see it, for her what all she knew about love was from Shahrukh’s movies and for her Rahul was the person she was, in the offing, for in her life. Being 10 years of age, though she was not very open to the emotion of love and being loved, but she saw in movies that its supposed to be a pleasant feel, completely out of this world. “So, ill marry Rahul,when ill grow up” said Rhea to herself.
Her first day at school-
She was utterly panicky as she was already late for the first lecture. “ May I come in” she said firmly and was let in by the teacher. Teacher introduced her to class 6th of 1998. She felt well again and sat on the first bench. That was the only place unoccupied.
Next few days-
It dint take much of time for her to make acquaintances. She was intellectual, gorgeous, compassionate and chatty. Soon she became apple of every teacher’s eye. She started loving the place more when she topped her half yearly exams.
The day she saw him for the first time-
The class was about to commence, but with the class teacher came a lad. Boy looked charming and fairly striking. Blue eyes made him look even more eye-catching. “This is Rahul, and he joins you all today, welcome him and don’t bully him, he is Principal’s son”.
Students apparently did not like the fact that Rahul was Principal’s son. They could not connect to him and Rahul was left alone. Meanwhile Rhea had her own babyish dilemma with the name Rahul. “Is he the one. The man of my life.” She wondered sitting on the desk next to him.
After a long interval, there were scarcely few days left for the final exams. She was sure that she is totally prepared and there is no one who can score more than her.
The day she spoke to him-
“Have you seen any blue-colored notebook in the class” asked Rahul to each and every student of the class, but no one really bothered to respond him properly. It was Rheas turn next. “ Have you seen any notebook lying in the class?” Rahul asked Rhea. “No, why? What happened? You have mislaid your book? There are barely few days left for the exams” replied Rhea in a calm tone which Rahul took as an offensive one and bashed her saying, “ None of your business, just tell me if you have seen it”. “ Uh, No. I am sorry” said Rhea perturbed.
The day got over but Rahul was still sitting in the class unaided. His eyes were full of tears. Just then he heard some steps coming towards him. “Hey, can I lend a hand? Don’t worry, take my book, read it and give me back. Or we can do combined studies” approached Rhea.
“I told you, not to bother, what have you appeared here for? To see me shed tears?” Rahul was disturbed. “No, I forgot my water bottle and so I came back. Please don’t take me off beam” reverted Rhea taking out a chocolate from her bag, which she always had in her bag, forwarding it to Rahul.
They became friends-
It took less then a week for Rhea to teach everything that Rahul had in his notebook. Results had come and it was Rhea again to score the uppermost. Rahul also managed to pass with fair marks. They went to an ice-cream joint and celebrated together. It did not take long for them to become friends, then very good friends and then best friends. They studied together, they ate together, they played together . After school they use to converse over the phone and after phone call they sat over internet to chat with each other for whole night long.
Do you love him?
It was a usual day. Rhea packed her bag and now she was packing Rahul’s bag, who had been to washroom. “So, do you love him?” came a voice. It was Shriya, another stunning classmate of Rhea.” What rubbish. Please don’t talk such kind of dirty talks” Rhea exclaimed and rushed leaving Rahul’s bag in the classroom itself. When Rahul was back, he couldn’t comprehend a bit of it and neither tried to.
Best friends became best of enemies
Rhea’s attitude changed after that day. She started ignoring Rahul. Rahul did not like it, but he thought Rhea would come on her own and talk. It did not take much of time for Rhea to hate Rahul and vice versa. They became famous fighters of the class. Meanwhile Shriya started liking Rahul and became good friends with and so Rahul did not really feel like he was missing Rhea. For Rahul, Rhea was special but he never wanted to take the first step to friendship again.
Rhea started hating everything that was going around. Her grades dropped. She couldn’t understand what was happening to her.
Days passed and they never verbalize again. Stealing looks had become something common for them.
Last day in the school.
“Students, lets all wish Rhea a very good bye, her dad has got transferred and so she will have to leave us all” said the class teacher. Each and every word pinched Rahul. He had hundreds of thoughts running in his mind. How would he be without getting to see her. To look at her and passing the time was his only to do for the entire day and only he knew that.
He managed to gain guts and whispered to Rhea, “Can you please wait after the school gets over, I want to talk to you something. Please, once ,for the last time?” Rhea couldn’t say No.
He kissed her
School got over and soon there was no one left in the class barring Rhea and Rahul.
Rhea- What is it?
Rahul-Where are you going? You did not even tell me.
Rhea- I guess we were not talking, so why should I tell you.
Rahul- Coz I love you.
Rhea- what? How can you even say such kind of dirty words. We are here to study and love is meant for grown ups. And this was the reason I did not want to speak to you. Go away. ( Walking away from Rahul )
Rahul – I do love you. And I will wait for the day to grow up and love you again the way your Shahrukh does.
Rhea- (Stopped) What do you want?
Rahul- Just a goodbye kiss.
Rhea- chiii I don’t wish to get pregnant at this age. If you want you can do that.
Rahul kissed Rhea and they parted off.
………………………………………………………………..PART 1 ENDS-To be contd…………………………………………………….
